"Cause you had a bad day"

Daniel Powter wrote the lyrics, “Cause you had a Bad Day”. The song was released in 2005 and I’m reflecting on those words and the thoughts behind them in this column. His lyrical words speak of life and the mental health challenges individuals are facing today and others of us have faced in times past. If by chance you have never experienced such a moment of question, doubt, fear or frustration, then hang on, you’re time will come. His first verse reads, “Where is the moment we needed the most? You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost. They tell me you're passion’s gone away and I don’t need to carryin’ on”. Are there any readers identifying with those phrases? Verse two is also a powerful punch in the gut for self reflection. “You stand in the line, just to hit a new low. You’re faking a smile with the coffee to go. You tell me your life’s been way off line. You’re falling to pieces every time”. The chorus is both an acknowledgment of current or former life with an action plan. The words are: “You had a bad day, you’re taking one down, you sing a sad song just to turn it around..”. It was July 18, 2019. I had been facing some rather challengingly health conditions. My dear mother had been by my side since November 7, 2014. For those who don’t know, a stubbed toe turned into a rather major issue in my life, all because of gangrene and infections, that had set up camp, in my body. It appeared in July 2019 that my life was on the mend. Mother who had put off everything in her life to care for me and finally she had the eye surgery she had been postponing. On her travels back home, I received a call telling me I was having issue with blood levels, from an IV Antibiotic. I was told to go to the ER immediately and was admitted. Subsequently, I gained 75lbs in three days as my kidneys stopped functioning. Four days later, while mother was recovering and I was in the hospital, my sister’s husband, died from Kidney Failure. Seven days later, at UK, I went into full cardiac arrest and was down for over 5 minutes. Here it is, 2022 and all I can figure is that God has a plan for me and I’m in full pursuit of His Will. I am pretty sure, I know something about having a bad day, or at least I feel like I know something about the subject. “Cause I had a Bad Day” I am not throwing in my towel. I furthermore recommend, that you also, do not throw in you’re towel either. Weather the storm, then tell your story about God’s grace and mercy and what He has brought you through. It’s not a bad day after all. Until then

Face your challenges, head-on

Throughout the course of our lives we will face many personal decisions. In different conversations I’ve had with people, when I ask, will you help me with a challenging, most of the time the first question is, what is it? Counting the cost, or evaluating what will be required when volunteering, is logical thinking. We should understand what someone is asking, when asked to participate or aid them in their request for help. Just as important, is to understand the requester, asking for help. Asking for help is a big issue as we live our daily lives. Who ask for help?, could be a self thought understanding, that such a request is a sign of weakness. If this is your position, I could not disagree more. Asking for help is actually an important discipline that demonstrates wisdom, eagerness to learn, a willingness to be instructed and a respect for others who are willing to share their experiences and knowledge. Best advice is never hesitate on asking others for help. Among the decisions we will make in our lives and among the contemplations we will make in our processing of facing challenges, I have a couple suggestions on what we should not eliminate. One personal decision I am not fond of making is giving up on something that is difficult or giving up on something that is not going to be easily accomplished. Some of our greatest learning experiences can easily be from difficulties. I realize we would love to avoid difficulties, but as some would say, when things get rough that when you find out what you are made of. I would concede that failing is also a great learning experience. We are not made to welcome such moments, but learning from them is invaluable. Easy steps are fun., It is kinda like jumping rope. If you have good timing skills, it is as easy as “falling off a log”..lol. However if timing is challenging to you, then experience is the best teacher. Practicing is our best friend and that includes repeated failures. From such we can learn, if we evaluate those failures. Among all the decisions you will face in life, never be afraid to face any of them. Until then